Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has described rival and World Champion Max Verstappen as “aggressive as hell” and a “bully” ahead of the new 2022 F1 season. The rivalry between the two intensified last season with the duo making contact on several occasions.

In a recent preview of the upcoming season of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, the 7-time Champion Hamilton described how his Red Bull adversary approached a Grand Prix. As quoted by the Express, Lewis said, “I think Max is aggressive as hell. And more often than not, he pushes it to the limit and beyond,”.

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“I’ve raced against a lot of drivers. There’s always bullies, but that’s not how I operate. I just try and beat them on track.”

The duo had their first major collision at Silverstone, with Lewis Hamilton crashing into Verstappen at Copse Corner. The Dutchman suffered a 51G impact, with the Brit eventually winning at his home Grand Prix despite a 10 second time penalty. They had another devastating encounter in Monza, with Max Verstappen‘s car piling up on his rival.

The final encounter came at the Saudi Arabian GP, with the 24-year-old given a penalty for causing a crash in Jeddah.

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The 7-time Champion left social media in the aftermath of the controversial loss at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, the 37-year old is motivated to set the record straight as he returns to partner George Russell, who signed from Williams.

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Moreover, the W13 has shown promising signs of challenging for the Championship in pre-season testing in Barcelona. The Silver Arrows put up impressive timings, completing the second-most number of laps at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Verstappen, however, got to grips in his new RB18 with Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

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Hamilton is also one world title away from breaking the all-time record currently shared with the legendary Michael Schumacher. He will also be wary of the new regulations in place this season, including a cost cap. The Englishman will undergo second pre-season testing in Bahrain before the season opener on March 18-20. Mercedes and Hamilton will be gunning to win their 9th Constructors’ Championship and reclaim the Drivers’ title.